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January 20, 2012

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Home » Feature » People

Unlady-like show wins applause

TAIWANESE college student and comedian Sie Yi-lin shot to fame overnight by doing everything young Chinese ladies are not supposed to do - being outrageous, unattractive and making fun of themselves.

Bingo. Sie is hot and the 21-year-old has gone viral since her hilarious "fashion" performance involving a bikini swimsuit top that she placed on her head to make a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) "headdress." The conservative Chinese audience was shocked and delighted.

The senior majoring in theater at the Chinese Culture University of Taiwan has come to Shanghai to share her creative ideas about fashion at a Spring Festival gala presented by the Chinese Business Network. She adviced locals how to dress like a Qing Dynasty princess with mask and other accessories. It will be aired on Thursday at 9:15pm.

In her August 9 debut in Taiwan, she wore ridiculous makeup and assumed coquettish postures, pretending to be a fashion victim recently returned from study in Paris. She dressed for a beach party, in ridiculous clothes - orange skirt and jagged lip-liner - then finds it's actually a Qing Dynasty party. Unruffled, she pulls a black bikini top out of her jacket and places it on her head to resemble an elaborate hairstyle.

"I can hold the whole situation even if I dress wrong and mistake the party theme," she says of her smart costume change, using English for the word "hold," which is used in Taiwan, as in "I'm so busy, I just can't hold it."

Internet users now call her "Sister Hold It" and she's all over Taiwan and mainland forums.

Sie has been compared to famous Taiwan hostess Dee Hsu. When she was invited to Hsu's popular talk show "Kang Xi Lai Le ("Here Comes Kang Xi"), she competed with Hsu and tried to upstage her.

She has created controversy because she's so brash and unladylike. Female comedians are very rare in China. Some say she's great, some say she's vulgar.

She spoke with Shanghai Daily.



Q: Many young women your age are too shy to present such a funny and brazen act. How do you manage?

A: Each time I perform on the stage, I regard my last acting experience, so I always try my best. And I'm not a beauty so I don't have to behave elegantly.



Q: What's your real personality?

A: In front of the camera I appear to be picky, neurotic and demanding. In fact, I'm an ordinary person who is very easy to get along with.



Q: How do you make your character popular?

A: I created the comedic personality of "Miss Lin." She must look cute, even though she's a little bit wicked and naughty.



Q: What are your plans? A more serious style?

A: After graduation I will take up a career in entertainment. I will stick to a hilarious style of performing. I'm not reserved and serious. I always think about the funny side of life. Nothing can upset me for long.



Q: You once said that Dee Hsu is the "elder generation" and she says you're too young to be a good TV host. What do you think?

A: I think Hsu has spoken my mind. A good TV hostess needs long practice and experience. I haven't fully prepared myself. Hsu is an excellent hostess. Though people compare us, we're different and I'm not imitating her style.



Q: If you are ever invited to be a performer or host for China Central Television's New Year Eve's gala, will you hold it?

A: Of course! The moment I am on stage, I will tell myself that I am the best. I won't let people down.




 

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